True or an excuse?
Replies
-
No, but I think it can be depending on how you shop. Before I was trying to eat healthy, the way I shopped was to go once a week and get everything at once. If I try to do that with healthy food, I find that it goes bad before I can eat it. So, I was heading out to replace.
I now shop a few times aweek for smaller amounts and I find I'm spending less.0 -
Like I said though I am only speaking for prices around here. I worked at a grocery store for about 3 years so I have a good idea.
Just have to catch the sales I think. During sales you can get eggs and a bag of potatoes for less than $1
meat doesn't have to be apart of an everyday meal in my opinion. Beans and lentils have protein too and the bagged ones are pretty cheap. Also can get canned veggies for 3 for $1 too.
The hard part would be fats i think. Most products high in fats seem to be the pricey part. Nuts especially. Olive oil is $4 a bottle, but you get about 32 servings0 -
See and where I live, frozen veggies are still expensive unless you catch them on sale.
Steamfresh veggies = $1.25
Can of corn = $.89
Depends on where you live, what you catch on sale...0 -
I find organic produce & meat, protein powder and some other extras (flax oil, hemp hearts, chia seeds, etc) more expensive but I wasn't eating fast food to begin with...so for me it's more expensive.
I don't think organic products really count in this debate though since organic does not always mean it is healthier. That stuff sure can be pricey though! I tried to buy organic meats when I decided to go from vegetarian back to eating meat... couldn't keep up!0 -
I say it's an excuse to an extent. My groceries are pretty expensive, but that is offset by the fact that we rarely eat out anymore. That said, I will say I think OVERALL it's cheaper. Both my husband I are healthier and spend less on healthcare due to being overweight. This will increase tenfold over the years as we stay thin and don't have to worry about diabetes, heart disease, and for me stomach/intestinal cancer. So it may cost me more now, but I'm investing in my future health which will cost me less in the long run!
FYI, I made chicken parmesan last night for under $10 and it made 8 servings. That's less than one meal at the restaurant!0 -
Since I didn't state my opinion: I find it to be an excuse. That is generalizing and of course there are exceptions :] If you don't eat healthy i'm not judging by the way xD
I spend way less money then I used to on groceries now that I eat healthier. Beans, lentils, rice, oats, frozen/canned veggies, meat in bulk when it goes on sale... doesn't always have to be expensive. Prices are pretty cheap here I should add
To the beeferoni post: $10 could take you a lot farther than that in my opinion. Fruits and veggies aren't the only thing out there. For $10 you could get eggs, beans, rice, oats and such (around here anyway) So there are options
^Exactly. Beans, oats, and rice, especially in bulk, are very cheap. You can find meat on sale and buy in bulk for families, and it ends up being cheaper and healthier that way! And as some others have said, frozen veggies are pretty reasonable and still have good nutritional value. Just look at the nutrition label to see if anything has been added. You do have to plan your meals ahead if you want to eat healthy on a budget, but it's worth it and it's really not that hard. Who wouldn't want to save money while eating well and feeling good?0 -
See and where I live, frozen veggies are still expensive unless you catch them on sale.
Steamfresh veggies = $1.25
Can of corn = $.89
Depends on where you live, what you catch on sale...
Don't get steam fresh then, you can get bags of frozen veggies for not much more but have 8-10 servings for that price.0 -
I never gave my opinion... despite it being significantly more expensive for me, I still think it's an excuse. My health and happiness are well worth an extra $25 at the grocery store each week.0
-
ok...beefaroni is a bad example. I was just trying to make a point. That it is very easy for those of us who have the means, time, transportation, etc. to critize the actions of people who don't eat healthy. I can help to educate them on healthier choices. I have been there where the only thing I can afford is peanut butter, bread, and milk (about $5). (college) I'm thankful that I'm no longer in that position.
I have never been in a situation where I have to feed my kids while working 3 jobs so that I can simply pay for the electricity. I have never had to stretch my food stamps until I get the next round. People who do buy raman noodles and any other canned goods that are on sale.
I know that my personal experience has been that my grocery bill has gone up $30 a week since we buy fresh meat, fruits, and veggies. I think that people are too quick to judge others.
Also - $10 is not always $10 depending on where you live.0 -
It is indeed cheaper (but less convenient) to prepare your own healthy meals.
Here is a great article on the topic: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/opinion/sunday/is-junk-food-really-cheaper.html
Over work with minimum wage, don't have time to cook. Kids hungry and want food access all the time.
Don't have internet, don't have the education to know what is healthy to eat.
BTW, I'm single.0 -
For those of you that say eating healhty is cheaper... what is a typical dinner for you? I can't for the life of me see how eating healthy is cheaper.
Healthy: strip steak, sweet potato, skim milk: $10-12
Unhealhty: frozen pizza, chips, beer/soda: $5-$7
have 1/4 of the size steak and add beans and lentil and your cost will be cut in half or more. My wife and I eat quite healthy and eat out only once a week and our grocery bill is 80/week for 2 of us so that gives us 3 meals plus 2 snacks/day 6 days/week, with one less meal and snack on the other day. So on average we spend $5.71/day each (not per meal) for breakfast, lunch, snacks and supper.
Yes but that's dinner for you and your wife only. Alot of people have to feed anywhere from 3-5 mouths at the same time so 3*80 =240 per week which is alot more expensive than hamburger helper, mac n cheese, or ramen noodles which is horrible for you but goes much further.0 -
It's an excuse and/or plain stupidity
150g bag of chips = $2.49 2 serves
2.5kg bag of apples $4.99 16 serves
A typical regular combo meal at Burger King = $10 1 serve
A loaf of wholegrain bread $2.50, a lettuce $1.50, a half dozen tomatos $2.00 and a dozen slices of cheese $2.50 = $8.50 12 sandwiches/6 serves
Instant (Ramen) noodles about $1.79 1 serve
Chicken carcass $1.99 1/2 bag soup mix (lentils, barley, dried vegetables) $1.05 = $3.04 2 lites/ 5 serves
500g bag of budget chocolate chip cookies = $3.99 about 10 serves
1.5kg bag carrots = $2.49 about 20 serves/carrots
ETA: these are prices for this country, but we still hear the same excuses0 -
Excuse. What about the long term costs to health? What about kids having a good wholesome breakfast instead of cereal or pop tarts that will leave them hungry in an hour and effect their ability to focus in school? Plus, most people I know who have switched to a more whole food based diet have found they they feel fuller for longer after a home cooked whole foods meal than after eating a meal of fast food or processed food at home (though most of them also noticed the first couple of weeks while switching over they were really hungry, but then their bodies adjusted and it flipped to being fuller, longer). It's about thinking about the larger picture and adding in those costs, as well as thinking about how portions work and how one bag of potatoes, rice, oatmeal, beans, etc, can be used in more than one meal. Buy in bulk. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Make soups and stews and stir-fries. Make a giant bean soup with dried beans, various frozen or fresh colorful veggies, some potatoes. Change of mindset is required - are prepackaged snacks necessary? Is portion cost comparable if you are buying staples in bulk rather than prepackaged?
http://www.everydayhealth.com/family-health/groceries-on-a-budget.aspx
http://life.familyeducation.com/shopping/money-and-kids/29621.html
http://www.netmums.com/family-food/guide-to-cooking-on-a-budget/cooking-on-a-budget0 -
ok...beefaroni is a bad example. I was just trying to make a point. That it is very easy for those of us who have the means, time, transportation, etc. to critize the actions of people who don't eat healthy. I can help to educate them on healthier choices. I have been there where the only thing I can afford is peanut butter, bread, and milk (about $5). (college) I'm thankful that I'm no longer in that position.
I have never been in a situation where I have to feed my kids while working 3 jobs so that I can simply pay for the electricity. I have never had to stretch my food stamps until I get the next round. People who do buy raman noodles and any other canned goods that are on sale.
I know that my personal experience has been that my grocery bill has gone up $30 a week since we buy fresh meat, fruits, and veggies. I think that people are too quick to judge others.
Also - $10 is not always $10 depending on where you live.
Like I said in my above post there are going to be exceptions. The 3 job situation is going to be one of them. Which is why we use generalizations.
No one is here to judge, just share views, opinions, experiences.
This topic recently came up in one of my nutrition courses and thought it would be good to post here
But for most I still say it is an excuse. If you do not value health as much then well it is not worth the effort of looking for sales like this. But healthy eating is given a bad rep and often said it is too expensive, when it does not need to be0 -
It's an excuse and/or plain stupidity
150g bag of chips = $2.49 2 serves
2.5kg bag of apples $4.99 16 serves
A typical regular combo meal at Burger King = $10 1 serve
A loaf of wholegrain bread $2.50, a lettuce $1.50, a half dozen tomatos $2.00 and a dozen slices of cheese $2.50 = $8.50 12 sandwiches/6 serves
Instant (Ramen) noodles about $1.79 1 serve
Chicken carcass $1.99 1/2 bag soup mix (lentils, barley, dried vegetables) $1.05 = $3.04 2 lites/ 5 serves
500g bag of budget chocolate chip cookies = $3.99 about 10 serves
1.5kg bag carrots = $2.49 about 20 serves/carrots
Last time I was at the store - Ramen noodles did not cost that much. More like 3 for $1.000 -
Excuse. My family is on a budget of about $75/week for 5 of us. We eat healthy just fine but it takes work.0
-
ok...beefaroni is a bad example. I was just trying to make a point. That it is very easy for those of us who have the means, time, transportation, etc. to critize the actions of people who don't eat healthy. I can help to educate them on healthier choices. I have been there where the only thing I can afford is peanut butter, bread, and milk (about $5). (college) I'm thankful that I'm no longer in that position.
I have never been in a situation where I have to feed my kids while working 3 jobs so that I can simply pay for the electricity. I have never had to stretch my food stamps until I get the next round. People who do buy raman noodles and any other canned goods that are on sale.
I know that my personal experience has been that my grocery bill has gone up $30 a week since we buy fresh meat, fruits, and veggies. I think that people are too quick to judge others.
Also - $10 is not always $10 depending on where you live.
Like I said in my above post there are going to be exceptions. The 3 job situation is going to be one of them. Which is why we use generalizations.
No one is here to judge, just share views, opinions, experiences.
This topic recently came up in one of my nutrition courses and thought it would be good to post here
But for most I still say it is an excuse. If you do not value health as much then well it is not worth the effort of looking for sales like this. But healthy eating is given a bad rep and often said it is too expensive, when it does not need to be
I understand your point. However, it seems like there have been several posts that talk about stupidity with regard to the inability to purchase healthy products.0 -
It's an excuse and/or plain stupidity
150g bag of chips = $2.49 2 serves
2.5kg bag of apples $4.99 16 serves
A typical regular combo meal at Burger King = $10 1 serve
A loaf of wholegrain bread $2.50, a lettuce $1.50, a half dozen tomatos $2.00 and a dozen slices of cheese $2.50 = $8.50 12 sandwiches/6 serves
Instant (Ramen) noodles about $1.79 1 serve
Chicken carcass $1.99 1/2 bag soup mix (lentils, barley, dried vegetables) $1.05 = $3.04 2 lites/ 5 serves
500g bag of budget chocolate chip cookies = $3.99 about 10 serves
1.5kg bag carrots = $2.49 about 20 serves/carrots
Last time I was at the store - Ramen noodles did not cost that much. More like 3 for $1.00
Sorry yes I just edited my post - different country0 -
Excuse. What about the long term costs to health? What about kids having a good wholesome breakfast instead of cereal or pop tarts that will leave them hungry in an hour and effect their ability to focus in school? Plus, most people I know who have switched to a more whole food based diet have found they they feel fuller for longer after a home cooked whole foods meal than after eating a meal of fast food or processed food at home (though most of them also noticed the first couple of weeks while switching over they were really hungry, but then their bodies adjusted and it flipped to being fuller, longer). It's about thinking about the larger picture and adding in those costs, as well as thinking about how portions work and how one bag of potatoes, rice, oatmeal, beans, etc, can be used in more than one meal. Buy in bulk. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Make soups and stews and stir-fries. Make a giant bean soup with dried beans, various frozen or fresh colorful veggies, some potatoes. Change of mindset is required - are prepackaged snacks necessary? Is portion cost comparable if you are buying staples in bulk rather than prepackaged?
http://www.everydayhealth.com/family-health/groceries-on-a-budget.aspx
http://life.familyeducation.com/shopping/money-and-kids/29621.html
http://www.netmums.com/family-food/guide-to-cooking-on-a-budget/cooking-on-a-budget
Thank you for the links, last one had some new ideas my kids will love
0 -
Given similar volumes of food, healthy eating is WAY more expensive for me as proven by my grocery bill. Steaks, fish, chicken breast, etc is a whole lot more expensive than frozen pizza.
This0 -
I understand your point. However, it seems like there have been several posts that talk about stupidity with regard to the inability to purchase healthy products.
Very commonly talked about in many of my classes actually. Because this is one of the problems dietitians are trying to solve. Well not solve, but help make the situation better at least.
When looking at the price of meats it can be very expensive - but looking at some of the unheathy items I see people buy, but then complain about veggie prices is just crazy to me.
Examples from work: Woman having me take off a bag of oranges because they were too expensive, but still got 4 cases of soda.0 -
It's absolutely TRUE! But it's also used as an excuse. So it's not an either/or! It's far cheaper to buy a huge carton of processed and bleached white flour based pasta shells for the family than health proteins/veggies, etc. It just is. But for me personally, it's a mixed bag. I eat healthy so it costs more to feed me. But the rest of my family? Not so much. I don't enforce my plant based diet on the rest of the family. They participate to varying degrees. My Senior daughter follows it a lot of the time, my teenage son does whatever the opposite of what I'm doing.
) 0 -
Oh, and in terms of people who live in poor areas with grocery stores that overprice items, and who are not served by good public transportation - I agree that is a real issue. However, that is a much larger environmental and economic justice issue. Overall, eating healthier for people who are not in those situations is cheaper. Just depends on what people are <choosing> to buy and eat. Meat can be one ingredient in one meal a day, it doesn't need to be the centerpiece in any meal. Packaged and fancy snacks aren't necessary. Have an apple and peanut butter. Packaged cereals aren't necessary. Have some whole oats from the bulk section with some dried fruit and nuts. Flavored drinks aren't necessary - juice, sodas, whatever - those add up. Have some water, have some tea, add frozen fruit to some water. Dessert? Make some simple homemade cookies instead of packaged cookies or ice cream or whatever. It's about choices.0
-
I think it really depends what you are eating. For example in Australia (because I know the prices better), a packet of chicken nuggets and a packet of frozen chips probably costs about $6-8 but 4 chicken breasts some veggies and some potatoes/rice/pasta probably costs closer to $12-15 and depending on serve you might get 2 nights out of the former and only 1 night out of the latter for a family of 4. But if you are having a takeaway then it probably costs more or if you are buying additional unhealthy snacks. On the snack front - it is usually much cheaper (but not nearly as filling) to buy a packet of crisps (in a multi bag) than to buy a yoghurt or fruit. So yeah, I do think it can be more expensive, especially if you like variety in what you eat.
Generally, I do think people use it as an excuse though. Life is about priorities and healthy eating is pretty high up there for me.0 -
Excuse. My family is on a budget of about $75/week for 5 of us. We eat healthy just fine but it takes work.
That's amazing! You should share some tips!0 -
I think eating totally heathly is definitely more expensive..... but its doable if your commited to it. You can eat healthy on a budget!! So to answer your question yeah I think some of US, including me just uses it as an excuse sometimes.0
-
I've heard so many experts say that the lower income you have, the higher the rate of obesity. I wasn't sure I believed it, but I know a family that has a VERY low weekly budget for food, sometimes only 50 a week for family of 3. They buy alot of processed foods, cheap to make, but very high in calories. Its just me and my husband, all of our meals are homemade, nothing processed, and for the 2 of us I have to budget 125.00 a week. We couldn't eat as healthy as we do for 50.000
-
Excuse. My family is on a budget of about $75/week for 5 of us. We eat healthy just fine but it takes work.
YES PLEASE SHARE!!!!!0 -
True.
Logically, it is true. It has been shown that purchasing fresh produce is far more expensive than buying processed crap.
You can eat 300 calories worth of CRAP a whole lot quicker than you eat 300 calories worth of produce.
By this you can infer that it would require MORE unprocessed foods to consume that same amount of calories, requiring more food.
This is why you see diabetes in a lot of minority/low income groups. It's not about the quality of a meal, it's about getting calories in the cheapest way possible.
As a society we need to define the value of our well being over the value of money. If that ever happens, you would start seeing a reversal, wherein processed foods are more expensive than fresh food. I just caught the tail end of a radio program about this today. I wish I could remember what they said, but they did mention that in places where they eat more produce than processed foods, the process foods are much more expensive.
If you look at these "healthy" diets that are low in cost, you will see A LOT of wheat... or as the USDA loves to put it "whole grains". Wheat is the single worst thing anybody can consume-- and it's in everything-- and is promoted as being healthy-- when in fact, it is not. Wheat especially exists in cheap foods, because... well, it's cheap.0 -
Excuse. My family is on a budget of about $75/week for 5 of us. We eat healthy just fine but it takes work.
That's amazing! You should share some tips!
Yes...please do!! That's better than I can do!!! 0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions